Train wreck

Today a jury is deciding the fate of Juan Manual Alvarez, 29, convicted of 11 murders. Should he get life without parole or death? Those are the only options.

But should they be? I don't know what was going on in Mr. Alvarez's life back in 2005. But things were bad enough that he decided to end his life by parking his truck on the train tracks and wait for the next Metrolink to blast him to kingdom come. Okay, it was moment of tragic stupidity, not to mention cowardice, because he scrambled out of the track at the last minute. Eleven people died, scores more injured, expensive train cars were demolished. It was horrific.

But, does killing Alvarez or sending him away for decades serve the greater good?

I'm reminded of an Indian legend. A young brave is surrounded by angry villagers. He's killed another man and his death is demanded. He stands ready for execution. The dead brave's grandfather walks into the circle. The crowd stills. The old man can deal the death blow. Instead he says these words. "You have taken a life. My grandson had responsibilities. He had a wife and children to feed. He had animals to tend. Now those responsibilities fall on your shoulders." The young brave must live out a life of restitution.

I don't know what other sentence would be appropriate for Mr. Alvarez' crimes besides the two offered. But it seems to me our system of simply locking people away lacks practicality and creativity.

Can't we do better?

Mother T